Netflix Summer Blockbusters

The Best Summer Blockbusters On Netflix Right Now

Summer is a beautiful season. The sun’s always shining, school’s out for three months, and the birds are having sex with the bees (if I recall my public school required sex-ed classes correctly). But most importantly, the newest crop of dazzling summer blockbusters arrive in theaters to blast our eardrums with the sounds of Hollywood explosions and melt our faces with 3D, CGI effects that make real life seem extra sucky.

Is there anything better than heading to your local multiplex, Mountain Dew Baja Blast and mega family-sized popcorn in hand, to enjoy the latest and greatest big-budget studio hit?

Actually, there is one thing better: watching your favorite, epic summer blockbusters from the supple safety of your own couch, via the miraculous streaming device we all know and adore, Netflix.

Some of the best blockbusters of all time are available, with just a click of a track pad. You can binge non-stop, all day, and unlike the movie theater, you are encouraged to watch it all in the comfort and freedom of your undergarments. No one can judge you in your own home. Just close the blinds, okay?

Sharknado -- Summer of 2013

The anti-blockbuster, in many ways, the B-Movie stylized Sharknado revels in its own excessive awfulness. Often referred to as “the best bad movie ever,” the instant cult classic drops the viewer amidst a carnivorous-stuffed weather event, where noted thespians Tara Reid and Ian Ziering must think fast and spew as many cheesetastic cliche lines as possible as they try to save Los Angeles from the titular Sharknado. It has comedy, it has tragedy, it has a woman falling from a helicopter into a shark’s mouth (Spoiler alert? I guess?) It’s not Citizen Kane, by any means, but it’s the best damn movie Ian Ziering has ever been in, which has to mean something.

Men In Black II -- Summer of 2002

When Men In Black smashed box office records in 1997, it was all but assured that the bantering, alien-busting, odd-couple duo of Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones would return to reap another round of box office success. It took nearly half a decade, but Men In Black II was a sequel that didn't quite live up to the exuberant originality of the first go-around, but still had its moments. After a shape-shifting Laura Flynn-Boyle comes to earth seeking a mysterious artifact, Tommy Lee Jones’ Agent K is forced out of blissful retirement, and dons the ubiquitous black suit again — with wise-cracking, wrinkle-free Agent J (Smith) having to show K the ropes, in a total role reversal from the first film. Hilarity ensues. Action occurs. Smith raps during the credits. What more could you ask for?

Star Trek: Into Darkness -- Summer of 2013

The rare sequel that managed to match its high-soaring predecessor, this JJ Abrams-helmed follow-up to the original Star Trek reboot amassed positive reviews and a strong box office showing, despite some polarizing opinions from hard-core fans. Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, and Zoe Saldana reprise their roles as James T. Kirk, Spock, and Nyota Uhura, respectively, with the plot hinging upon the crew of the USS Enterprise crossing paths with a mysterious newcomer, played by the always-engaging Benedict Cumberbatch. The film echoes some of the most classic Star Trek moments of the past, while adding its own twists along the way. The high-octane action and endearing chemistry between the cast is entertaining enough to keep the attention of non-fans, with enough inspired iconography and plot-points to satisfy most avowed Trekkies, too.

Godzilla -- Summer of 1998

A box office hit that was pretty much deemed a critical failure, this late 90s entry surprisingly holds up better than you would imagine. Matthew Broderick embraces his role as action hero, and takes on the eponymous radioactive lizard all over the five boroughs of New York, with help along the way from a colorful cast of characters, including roles by veteran character actors Hank Azaria and Jean Reno. You might be a little turned off by Godzilla’s Jurassic Park-esque redesign, or the fact that the big G is a hermaphrodite who can impregnate itself and lay eggs in the Garden (????) but overall, this quintessential example of 90s popcorn movie excess is a fine watch for a warm evening of summer streaming.

Deep Impact -- Summer of 1998

‘98 was the summer of asteroid movies, and Deep Impact is often overlooked and outshined by its Bruce Willis-packing counterpart, Armageddon. But out of the two, Deep Impact is a more realistic, thought-provoking look into the potential deep impacts (oh...now I get it!) of wayward ‘roids. Morgan Freeman notably stars as the acting PotUS while a deadly comet is rapidly advancing on a collision course with earth — talk about bad timing. Overall, the film paints a worrisome portrait of the desperation and calamity an impending disaster like this would cause in our society, and has absolutely zero Aerosmith power ballads, which I’m still on the fence about.

Bad Boys II -- Summer of 2003

Like the Godfather II before it, cinefiles everywhere are in an endless debate as to whether the sequel has eclipsed the original in this second instalment in the Bad Boys cannon. Will Smith and Martin Lawrence complete the good cop/dumb cop dynamic that so many summer blockbusters before and since have exploited. The plot is a globe-trotting mixture of explosions, witty banter, and sexy firefights, all leading to a stunning climax (and another, inevitable sequel). Despite less than positive reviews from most critics, Bad Boys 2 raked in the big bucks at the box office, and paved the way for future summer blockbusters, like Bad Boys 3.

Wild, Wild, West -- Summer of 1999

The third (and final) time Will Smith appears on this list, Wild Wild West has all the elements a 90s blockbuster needs: the aforementioned Smith, a catchy movie-themed rap song by the aforementioned Smith, a promotional tie-in with Burger King, and giant spider robots. Personally, I’m not sure if the steampunk look would have ever fully taken off if not for this inspired blockbuster that helped cap off the end of the century. Kevin Kline and Salma Hayek shine in this odd, cowboy-themed action/comedy that’s rattles around, but never takes itself too seriously (giant steam-powered spider-bots will do that to a movie). You know, I miss the time when all you had to do to guarantee a hit was get Will Smith to wear sunglasses and shoot something.

Lara Croft: Tomb Raider -- Summer of 2001

Video Game adaptations are usually cinematic poison (not sure if I’ll ever recover after watching Super Mario Bros: The Movie) but Tomb Raider managed to defy decades of genre failure, thanks in large part to its babe-tastic lead, Angelina Jolie, who seemed to be born to play the role of Lara Croft. The short-shorts and black tank top fit Jolie like a glove as she blasts through Indiana Jones-style adventuring in a race against a monolithic foe (hint: It’s the Illuminati!). Basically, Tomb Raider stays true to its roots, and plays out as one massive video game cutscene. Fans and newcomers alike came to the theater for Jolie, but stayed for...well...I guess they stayed for Jolie, too.

XXX -- Summer of 2002

If you ever watched a James Bond movie and thought to yourself, “I like 007, but I just wish he was a little more EXTREME,” 2002 was your year, baby. XXX, also known as the hardest movie in the world to Google (oh, hey SafeSearch) stars Vin Diesel as the X-games compliant spy fit for the 21st century. Mr. Diesel traverses the globe, rides snowmobiles, blows stuff up, and ends up saving the world, as any self-respecting super spy will do, from time to time. XXX is worth a watch, if only for the hyper-macho catchphrases alone. “The things I’m going to do for my country…” never sounded better than in Vin’s Brooklyn baritone, in front of a gaggle of naked supermodels.

Tarzan -- Summer of 1999

Coming at the tail-end of Disney’s second Golden Age (with a string of hits like Aladdin, Beauty and the Beast, and the Lion King) Tarzan introduced the feral, ape-swinging hero to children of the 90s. Tarzan doesn’t have much to say, and mainly lets his actions do the talking, as he pals around with his gorilla friends, meets the girl of his dreams (Jane, voiced by Minnie Driver), and discovers what it truly means to be human. Sound a little too deep for you? Don’t worry, this is Disney.

World War Z -- Summer of 2013

One of the most underrated entries on the list, World War Z is based upon the smash-hit, faux oral history novel of the same name, and never truly got the recognition it deserved. Starring Brad Pitt as a dedicated family man who emerges as the world’s last hope for survival, as a vicious virus that turns the dead into flesh-eating nightmares ravages the globe. On Netflix, the extended director’s cut is available to stream, and offers a more complete look at this thoughtful, intense take on the ever-expanding zombie genre.

How to Train Your Dragon 2 -- Summer of 2014

If you’ve avoided this stellar sequel simply because it’s a “kids movie,” you are doing yourself a major disservice, film streamer. Though this is a sequel, fans uninitiated in the world of Dreamworks’ Dragon films should have no trouble jumping into the action, and the smart, witty script should engage viewers of all ages. The How To Train Your Dragon series has proven that quality animation is not just Pixar’s game, and that dragons are still totally interesting to modern youth. Though I’m still waiting for that Puff The Magic Dragon, reboot. What’s JJ Abrams up to?

The Italian Job -- Summer of 2003

Any movie that combines Mark Wahlberg, Donald Sutherland, and copious amounts of Mini Coopers is a big time win in my book. In this ‘03 spin on the original 1960s car chase classic, Marky Mark plays a professional safe-cracker who teams up with the likes of Charlize Theron, Edward Norton, and Jason Statham in order to pull off the heist of the century...in Italy(!) no less. It’s a tale of revenge, suspense, car chases and...come on, do you seriously need more reasons to check this out? You can practically smell the burning rubber coming off this joyride of a film. And I mean that in a good way.

Fifth Element -- Summer of 1997

With iconic imagery, an inventive script, and one very memorable performance from summer blockbuster staple Bruce Willis, the Fifth Element just keeps improving with age, like a fine Pinot Noir, or Betty White fan fiction. It’s campy, it’s over-the top, but the story of a grizzly NYC hover-cab driver (remember, this is the future) who, in classic Bruce Willis fashion, is entrusted with the unlikely duty of saving the world, is like Die Hard meets Blade Runner with a little bit of Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy mixed in. Also not to be missed: Chris Tucker as the charismatic, flamboyant talk show host Ruby Rhod, whose haircut speaks for itself.

Who Framed Roger Rabbit? -- Summer of 1988

As a kid, seeing Bugs Bunny meet Mickey Mouse was like summer vacation, Christmas, and Pokemon all rolled into one mega-awesome explosion of boyhood wonder. Seriously though, this film brought together every cartoon character I ever loved, and packed it all in a decidedly inventive noir-film plot that could honestly rival any Hollywood gumshoe classic. As washed-up PI Eddie Valiant is dragged back into danger while working a case in a world where cartoons and real people live peacefully, if not a little awkwardly, side-by-side, Roger Rabbit, the bunny in question, has been framed (duh), and it’s up to Eddie to clear the harmless toon’s name. The rest, including a terrifying performance by Christopher Lloyd, is live action/cartoon mash-up history, and makes for one of the best “family” films ever.

Mission: Impossible -- Summer of 1996

Remember when Tom Cruise was just known as a legitimate A-list actor, and not an insane-person that also happened to be a legitimate A-list actor? Solidifying his ever-growing prowess as a short guy who brings mesmerizing charisma and intensity to action-hero roles, Cruise lights up the original Mission: Impossible, and lays the groundwork for one of the most profitable and prolific action series in modern movies. Like all the messages in the Mission:Impossible series, Cruise would inevitably self-destruct. But he still plays a perfect Agent Ethan Hunt. And it all started right here.

Total Recall -- Summer of 1990

Arnold Schwarzenegger, the literal king of summer blockbuster season, stars in another larger-than-life role, inside this cerebral, futuristic, twist-filled ride, circling around nightmares, martians, false memories, and, of course, that girl with the three boobs. Some highlights include Arnold emerging through a frumpy old lady mask, his head exploding in an alien wasteland, and...did we mention that three-boobed lady already? At any rate, this is a summer blockbuster season, in an Austrian-accented nutshell. Don’t bother with the recent Colin Farrell iteration, this is the only Total Recall you need to see.

The Sixth Sense -- Summer of 1999

Though the budget of this quintessentially creepy thriller may pale when compared to some other entries on this list, the Sixth Sense was a massive hit, and spawned nearly a decade’s worth of horrible “I see dead people” dad jokes. M. Night Shyamalan's masterful ghost story became one of Hollywood’s biggest successes in recent times, and basically made everything else M. Night ever did look pretty awful. I guess that’s what happens when you make an instant classic. Regardless, the disturbing visuals, packed alongside nuanced performances by Bruce Willis and the boy-wonder Haley Joel Osmont, make the Sixth Sense one of the eeriest films of the last few decades, and a dark horse summer blockbuster champion.

Escape from Alcatraz -- Summer of 1979

One of the original summer blockbusters, Escape from Alcatraz tells the amazing true story of two men who successfully escaped from America’s most famous prison, located in the chilly waters of the San Francisco bay. Clint Eastwood plays the leading man, in this case, a convict who concocts a full-proof plan to bust out of the island joint and swim his way to sweet, sweet, freedom. It may lack the emotional depth of The Shawshank Redemption, and the high-intensity, explosion-happy madness of The Rock, but this solid gold oldie takes a real-life event, and puts some heavy dramatic gravitas behind it. You always have to respect a film that makes you root for the bad guy this passionately.

Kill Bill: Volume 2 -- Summer of 2004

The second, and final, installment in the Kill Bill saga debuted at the very beginning of the ‘04 summer movie season, and set the bar extremely high for the films that followed. This is Quentin Tarantino at his bloody best. As Uma Thurman’s scorned Bride draws closer and closer to her inevitable target, the action gets even more intense and the assassin Uma gets in deeper than ever — at one point, she is literally six-feet deep in a coffin — before everything comes to a climax during the epic final showdown, complete with a killer kung-fu move for the ages. Let’s just say the movie lives up to its title, guys.

Gladiator -- Summer of 2000

As Russell Crowe’s voice reverberates inside of your head, asking the ancient Roman crowd about their level of entertainment, it’s hard not realize how enjoyable — and yes...entertaining — Ridley Scott’s epic truly is. What it lacks in historical accuracy, it makes up for in sheer exuberance. As the ultimate down-on-his-luck hero, Maximus lost his wife, his child, and pretty much everything else when a wickedly vicious Joaquin Phoenix decided to seriously eff with life in a jealous rage. Maximus, the greatest warrior in the world, is forced to participate in the brutal bloodsport of the gladiator games. Russell Crowe, pretty much playing himself, gives a tour-de-force turn that won him an Oscar and helped him gain worldwide attention. And he did it doing what he loves best: getting paid to beat the living hell out of other people.

Ferris Bueller’s Day Off -- Summer of 1986

Ferris Bueller is like the 1980s, teenaged version of Tyler Durden. He is quite literally the raw epitome of what the common man desires to be. But unlike Durden, Ferris leads parades in sing-alongs rather than blowing them up with homemade bombs. Mr. Bueller skips school and packs more fun into one day than could even be remotely considered possible. This hyper-quotable, insanely fun teen comedy is some of John Hughes’ best work this side of The Breakfast Club, and became a touchstone for slacker culture. Ferris’ soliloquies inspired legions of high school yearbook quotes, and made a whole generation stop and look around once in a while. You see, life can move pretty fast...

Top Gun -- Summer of 1986

It was the summer of 1986. Janet Jackson’s “Nasty” ruled the charts, Ronald Reagan ruled the country, and Tom Cruise implanted the vision of playing shirtless volleyball with all of his fighter-pilot friends into every red-blooded American’s memory. Remember the guys? Maverick. Iceman. Goose. Oh, poor, sweet Goose...Top Gun was a precursor to the blockbuster-packed 90s, and laid down the groundwork for success, showing future films what a true summer hit should have: an A-list star, a notable soundtrack (“Take My Breathe Away”), a charismatic female love interest, plenty of locker room banter, and of course copious high-fiving. Feel the need for speed, from the comfort of your futon.

Forrest Gump -- Summer of 1994

If you don’t like the Gump, chances are, I won’t like you. Watching Forrest Gump is like taking a trip throughout America in the 20th century. Through the eyes of Forrest, we see the world change through war, love, and overall cultural upheaval. Mr. Gump is a hero of our times, a happy-go-lucky survivor with a heart of gold, who always finds himself in the right place at the right time. Tom Hanks’ portrayal of the titular character has transcended the cinema, and placed Forrest, Jenny, Bubba and Lt. Dan directly into the heart of our collective-consciousness. Seriously, who needs Social Studies class when you’ve seen Gump over three-dozen times? It’s a summer blockbuster for the ages.

Terminator 2: Judgement Day -- Summer of 1991

Were you expecting Paul Blart? How can you have a list of streaming blockbusters without mentioning the film that blew the lid off of everything we thought a summer popcorn movie could be and pretty much perfected the genre? It lacks nothing. Arnold. Accents. Sleek CGI. A badass female lead. Motorcycles. Liquid metal robot action. Killer housewives. Surprised custodians. It is literally the lofty pinnacle every blockbuster strives to reach. In my humble opinion, T2 represents the height of James Cameron’s crowd-pleasing cinematic prowess, as well as the peak of Arnold’s action-flick badassery. If the Earth was destroyed, and the only lasting remnant of human being’s time on this planet was a single VHS copy of Terminator 2: Judgement Day, I’d be weirdly okay with that. Bottom line: it’s worth your time, and reason enough to keep dishing out the dough for that Netflix subscription.